President’s decision on PM’s assets declaration irks TISL

Transparency International Sri Lanka says it is disappointed to learn of the decision made by the Presidential Secretariat to appeal against the order issued by the Right to Information Commission, directing the disclosure of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s assets and liabilities declaration for 2015/2016.

Issuing a statement Executive Director of Transparency International Asoka Obeysekera said given the President’s New Year pledge to fight corruption this year and given the allegations cast against the Prime Minister in late 2018, they are surprised that the President’s Office sought to block access to the Prime Minister’s Asset Declaration.

He noted that having credible self-declared information presently in the hands of the public is an essential ingredient missing in the fight against corruption.

Obeysekera said the initial applications for the President and Prime Minister of the asset declarations were filed in February 2017 adding that the President’s Office refused to disclose the requested information, prompting the Right to Information Commission to appeal to Transparency International.

Transparency International highlighted that such a challenge would also undermine the President’s stated commitment to transparency and accountability, and the government’s commitment to ensure access to the public’s right asset declarations.

Transparency International called on all elected representatives to proactively disclose their asset declarations in order to foster a culture of accountability and open government.